RECALIBRATING INDIA’S AIRPOWER STRATEGY: Managing Fighter Squadron Deficits in a Two-Front War Scenario
In 2016, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa sounded a warning about the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) steadily depleting fighter squadron strength. The IAF has long maintained that a minimum of 42 fighter squadrons is essential to effectively engage both of India’s primary adversaries, China and Pakistan, simultaneously. Interestingly, the following year, Dhanoa reassured that the IAF had formulated a “Plan B” to counter both fronts even with reduced operational strength.
SILENT WINGS OVER VERMILION SKIES: Contextualising SEAD and Loitering Munitions in the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict
The issue brief provides an in-depth analysis of the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, focusing on the strategic use of loitering munitions and Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) in modern warfare. It examines the implications of the possible use of these technologies within the context of Operation Sindoor, which India launched in response to the Pahalagam terrorist attack, and the subsequent military exchanges between the two nations.
The International Court of Justice: Evaluating Its Efficacy in Administering International Law and Justice
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, is one of the most influential bodies for administering international law and justice. This paper examines the Court's effectiveness in fulfilling this role, focusing on its past and recent rulings to assess its impact and influence in the international arena. The study begins with an overview of the ICJ's background, detailing its membership, composition, jurisdiction, and the significance of its location in The Hague.
Cyber Insecurity in South Korea: Decoding Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
The issue brief explores the complex challenges South Korea faces in securing its cyberspace amid rapid digital transformation and escalating geopolitical tensions. Despite being one of the most digitally connected nations, South Korea's cybersecurity framework suffers from significant vulnerabilities, particularly due to persistent cyber threats from North Korea and other state and non-state actors. The study examines South Korea's cybersecurity framework through four distinct phases, each reflecting increased sophistication in policy development.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships: Analysing India's 2+2 Dialogues with the USA, Japan, Australia, and Russia
This Issue Brief provides a comprehensive examination of India's 2+2 Dialogues with key global partners, including the USA, Japan, Australia, Russia, and the UK, emphasizing the strategic importance of these engagements.
White Phosphorus Munition Use in Contemporary Conflicts: A Brief Analysis Within the Context of International Law
The paper discusses the use of white phosphorus (WP) munitions in recent conflict zones such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting the significant legal, ethical, and humanitarian issues it raises. It argues for critically reassessing white phosphorus use in warfare to ensure it aligns with humanitarian values and public ethics.
Navigating the Cyber-Biosecurity Landscape: A National Security Imperative for India
The ever-evolving landscape of national security threats has expanded to encompass traditional geopolitical and military risks and challenges arising from the cyber and biological domains termed cyber-biosecurity. This hybrid concept of cyber-biosecurity emerges as an innovative fusion, encapsulating the rapidly converging disciplines of cybersecurity and biosecurity.
From Margins to Mainstream: The Enduring Threat of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
Since the Soviet incursion into Afghanistan, Pakistan has been strategically invested in its neighbouring country, seeking to establish a sphere of influence there. Pakistan has employed a multifaceted approach to realise this ambition over the years.
'Ethico-Political' Implications of Drones in 21st-Century Conflicts
Drone technology is increasingly becoming more capable of autonomous violence and destruction. With drones heralding a new age of warfare and a change like military technology, it is crucial to evaluate drones' ethical and political implications.